Get the Old Bootloader and F8 Safe Mode in Windows 8

Windows 8 brought many drastic changes in functionality and user interface to the Microsoft Operating System family. For starters, it shipped by default with a new bootloader designed for UEFI devices. While you may like the new bootloader which is also tiled as the rest of the operating system, it is more of a disaster rather than a functionality. With the new bootloader in Windows 8, functionality to boot straight into “safe mode” by pressing the “F8” key was removed. You can follow the below steps to get the Windows 7 style “old” classic bootloader and safe mode functionality back for Windows 8.

How to get Windows 7 Classic Bootloader and Safe Mode for Windows 8

1. Open up the Start menu and type “cmd”, right-click on Command Prompt and choose “Run as Administrator”. You can even make use of the Winkey+X shortcut and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

2. Copy paste the below command and run it:

bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

3. Now the next time you restart your computer and press F8 key before the Windows logo appears, you will be able see advanced boot options and Safe Mode.

Tip : If at any point of time you want to undo this change you can do so by typing the below command in Windows Command Prompt: